Ricotta Gnocchi

Fluffy, pillowy, and irresistibly tender, ricotta gnocchi is the ultimate comfort food that’s surprisingly simple to make at home. Crafted with creamy whole-milk ricotta, Parmesan cheese, and just a handful of pantry staples, these cloud-like dumplings are lighter than traditional potato gnocchi yet equally satisfying. This quick and easy recipe requires just 20 minutes of prep and features a delicate dough that comes together effortlessly, making it ideal for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Cooked until they float to perfection, these ricotta gnocchi can be paired with your favorite marinara sauce, lightly sautéed in butter for crisp golden edges, or garnished with fresh basil and extra Parmesan for a restaurant-quality presentation. Perfect for pasta lovers searching for a unique twist, this dish is sure to become a new family favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 59/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.75 cup all-purpose flour
• 0.25 cup flour (for dusting)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or olive oil (optional, for serving)
• 4 leaves fresh basil leaves (optional, for serving)
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
• 1 cup marinara or other pasta sauce (optional, for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Place the ricotta cheese in a fine mesh strainer or line a bowl with cheesecloth. Let it drain for 30 minutes if it seems very wet to remove excess moisture. If your ricotta is already dry and firm, you can skip this step.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained ricotta, egg, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, and salt. Mix until smooth and well incorporated.

Step 3

Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the bowl, folding it in with a spatula or wooden spoon. Continue adding flour until the dough comes together and is just slightly sticky but can be handled. Avoid overworking the dough, as this may cause the gnocchi to become dense.

Step 4

Generously dust a clean work surface with some of the additional flour for dusting. Transfer the dough to the surface and divide it into 4 equal portions.

Step 5

Roll each portion of dough gently into a rope about 3/4 inch in diameter. Use a sharp knife or bench scraper to cut the ropes into 1-inch pieces to form the gnocchi.

Step 6

If desired, roll each gnocchi piece lightly over the tines of a fork to create ridges. These ridges help hold onto sauces but are not necessary.

Step 7

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully drop the gnocchi into the boiling water in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. As the gnocchi cook, they will float to the surface. Allow them to cook for 1-2 minutes after they float, then remove them with a slotted spoon and transfer them to a plate.

Step 8

Optional: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat or heat the olive oil until shimmering. Add the cooked gnocchi to the skillet and sauté for a few minutes until lightly golden and crisp on the outside.

Step 9

Serve the gnocchi warm with your favorite marinara sauce, fresh basil, a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, and a drizzle of olive oil, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(745.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1486.7

Total Fat 82.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 47.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.0g
Cholesterol 431.5mg	0%
Sodium 3206.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 124.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 7.3g	0%
Total Sugars 12.6g
Protein 63.2g	0%

Vitamin D 71.8IU	0%
Calcium 1156.3mg	0%
Iron 7.6mg	0%
Potassium 1194.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 49.8%

Protein: 16.9%

Carbs: 33.3%